Female entrepreneurship has gained prominence in many parts of the world, including in developing countries such as India. However, despite the growing number of startups in the country, women entrepreneurs still face significant hurdles, especially in a traditionally male-dominated business environment.
A recent study (Aggrawal et al., 2022) explored the experience of ten high-tech female entrepreneurs in India, revealing the challenges and strategies of overcoming in this context. The study identified deep-rooted gender bias as one of the main obstacles faced by these women. Discrimination in contract negotiations, difficulties in obtaining loans, and resistance by male employees were some of the examples mentioned.
In addition to gender bias, the reconciliation between family and business has also proved to be an important challenge. The women entrepreneurs reported the difficulty in balancing work demands with family responsibilities, often feeling remorse for not spending enough time with their children and relatives.
However, the study also highlighted factors that contributed to the success of these women.The support of husbands, who were more participatory in household chores and childcare than the common in Indian culture, was fundamental for them to be able to dedicate themselves to their business. In addition, the development of stress coping mechanisms, such as the practice of hobbies and quality time with the family, were also important to overcome the challenges.
In short, female entrepreneurship in India, while promising, still faces considerable challenges. The study by Aggarwal et al. (2022) contributes to the understanding of these challenges and the strategies used by women to overcome them, highlighting the importance of family support, the development of stress management skills and the need for policies that promote gender equality in the business environment.
Reference:
AGGRAWAL, A. et al. The Plight of Female Entrepreneurs in India. Economies, v. 10, no. 11, pp. 264, 2022.
Photo by Smartworks Coworking na Unsplash
